Category: Reviews

Technology has really made our lives easier for the most part. For example, the gift of internet has made the exchange of information rather easier. The data that is made available in the internet is staggering. In fact, we find it harder to live without the internet with each passing year. More and more of our much needed services are made better by internet, and by technology as a whole.

Another concrete example of the internet’s profound effect on us is the way article writers do their job. In days past, a typical writer would bang away on typewriters day in and day out. The modern computer changed that but writers are still chained to their offices for the most part. The internet change all of that. The internet enabled writers to work at home (or anywhere else) because said technology, as expressed above, enabled an easier mode to exchange information. Webpages also changed the mode of “publication” too. As of the moment, webpages are still threatening traditional modes of media.

Dangers of the Internet

The internet is one of the most revolutionary human inventions that graced our kind. As mentioned, the internet has made formerly hard tasks into easy and mundane ones. Of note is the nature of openness that so pervades the internet. It means that anyone with the proper device and the proper connection can access the said network. However, it is this openness that endangers its users.

News of hackers and viruses has inundated the airwaves. Simple viruses can be handled by free antivirus tools but the more malicious ones are harder to handle. The most difficult ones are purposely used by hackers who want to access sensitive data, mainly the private data of internet users to sell in black markets. But these aren’t the most dangerous ones.

To be sure, hackers and viruses are to be feared, especially if you’re work revolves around the internet. Writers which rely on the internet must guard themselves against said threats. Although, most computer viruses can be handled by more powerful antivirus tools and hackers are only dangerous if you’re specifically targeted. A hacker employing tools for a bigger target area easier to be exposed.

The biggest threats, presently, to writers and alike who rely on the internet, are the big organizations that collects data. Some nation governments are collecting data upon their citizens in order to check for any subversive elements. Some are doing so to preempt any national risk. Big software corporations are also using the data gleaned from users in order to feed said users with the fitting ads. Although benign, this sort of mass eavesdropping is still a bit creepy.

Protection for Writers

All’s not lost. Writers and others can still enact measures to protect their data and their articles. For one, writers can use technology that greatly eschews the internet. While this would involve backward technology, the benefits of going “out of the grid” is undeniable. This technique is best used in the minimum so as not to interrupt your workflow and must be limited to sensitive data and other usages.

One of the best tools to combat data sniffers is the use of Virtual Private Networks or VPN’s. VPN’s give users a private connection that protects said users from outside prying eyes. Basically, a VPN will give users a connection that is largely unreachable by those who seek to know the contents of data funneled through said networks. There are a multitude of choices when it comes to VPN’s. It’s always better to get the more powerful VPNS in order to protect your data and your privacy.

As a blogger who covers books and self-publishing, I have done my fair share of book reviews. However, over the years, I’ve noticed that just writing about a book doesn’t work. In most cases, the book is too obscure for people to find your post and in other cases, the book is too well known, and your review will have too much competition.

This usually leaves many a blogger mad with rage as they realize that they can’t seem to be able to cover the books they want and get the traffic they so desperately need.

So, where is the sweet spot?

In truth, it’s a little of both and by thinking about your next book review in this manner, you could gain more traffic and even better sales. In the following article, I will show you one simple trick that will help you compare books like a pro.

Combining the Best of Both Worlds in Book Reviews

Like I said, the best answer is to do both. I don’t mean write one review on a popular book and one review on an obscure one. I’m talking about writing an article that compares the two or a couple. In this case, you are giving someone a known standard, and you are comparing it to an unknown book. This gives people a reference and ultimately gives them a choice, which turns out, people like that.

Say, for example, you want to write a review about an epic wizard kid. Why not compare that book to a Harry Potter book? For those who love Harry Potter books, they might be on the prowl to find books like it. With your review comparing the two, you give your readers an ability to make that distinction. But it doesn’t have to stop there.

Study Guide Comparisons: FSOT

But book comparisons aren’t just for fiction. They can be stupendous for non-fiction. In most cases, it’s easier to do a comparison to two non-fictions. In many cases, a non-fiction works to address a pain-point for the reader. Therefore, as the reviewer, you just need to figure out which book is better at helping the reader solve their problem, be that stop smoking, become more effective, etc.

The FSOTPrep.com did an excellent job of comparing some non-fiction books. In the list of the best FSOT study guides, they compared 3 of the best Foreign Service Officer Study guides and ranked them #1-3 with #1 being the best. This is a great method because those who are about to take the Foreign Service Officer Test are probably looking to figure out which FSOT study guide is the best fit for them and, of course, the stumble upon this beauty of a list. In essence, the writer has made it super easy for the reader to look at all the pertinent FSO exam study guides and figure out which one is best.

Do you think those Amazon buttons are Amazon Associate links? Of course, they are.

To Sum It All Up

So in short, we reviewers need to stop being so linear in our thoughts. We need to look for things to compare with. This, in turn, will give your book review more exposure, more reach, and a set standard in which to help your reader base their thoughts on the book. This simple tactic will help you to get more traffic and even better sales conversions, which is what we book review bloggers want most, right?

Your target readers are everywhere but they just don’t notice your book. You need to get the spotlight so that they can notice you, see you, your work of art, your creation, your book. As the saying goes, “Don’t judge the book by its cover”, however, readers can sometimes be so judgmental. They look into your book cover. Do they love its color? Do they find it cool or dull? Then they will look into the title. If they find it interesting they will try to check on the price. Is it something worth reading?

Then here comes another reader. A different kind of reader. A reader who’s looking for quality reading materials. Her/his main concern is not the book cover or the author’s name, not even the price but the reviews. If they like what they read from other people’s feedback, then the greater the chance that he/she hits the order button and purchase your book.

As an author, especially if it is your first time, you have to remember that having an attractive cover, or a good content and good price is not enough. What you need is exposure, more and more exposure. Why? Because as mentioned above, “readers can sometimes be so judgmental”. Aside from that, this world is in big competition. Standing still won’t make you win, you need to run and try not to be left behind. If you want success then work for it.

If you want to get reviews, you may want to consider book review service from a professional writer. Or try having a giveaway online in exchange of good reviews. How about asking your close friend or relative to write a review for you and in exchange, they will provide good feedback for your book. You see, these are just some of the great and simple ways you can try to market your self published book. If you will just try to be more creative, you can still come up with some other marketing techniques.

Positive book reviews are so helpful, particularly to self-published authors. It’s a great way to promote your writing and be noticed by people. The more reviews you generate means more sales and not only that, reviews can also help promote your other writings or your future writings and you as an author. Another good thing about reviews is, it help other readers see the best part of your book because most of the reviews will highlight the best part or the relevant sections of your book. For readers who have read your work, reviews can also urge them to write their own reviews for you. This just means that your book exposure is getting wider and wider.

So as an author, never neglect the power of reviews and be creative, try to do something to generate some reviews and in near future, you will see another fruit of your labor.

Presidents: Every Question Answered

Carter Smith

A one-of-a-kind sourcebook of information on the Presidents and Presidency.

The 2004 presidential election was an event of great interest, as you may have noticed. More and more, people all over the planet are paying attention to the office of “the most powerful man in the free world.” So we’ve made a book that will be the ultimate source book for answers to just about any question that you could ask about any president, past or present (to which you could reasonably expect an answer). We came up with a design that allows you find the information you need quickly and easily, and is also pleasing to the eye-no mean feat. We have a book that will tell you each president’s date of birth and death, place of education, religion, party, term in office, vice-president, cabinet, first lady, career-before and after office-and much more. There is a timeline of the presidency and of world events. There is an electoral map for each campaign, plus a list of opponents. There are quotes by the president, and about the president, both then and now; there are lists of bills passed; there are the successes, failures and indiscretions. There are rankings; there’s information on supporters and on enemies; quotes from famous or infamous speeches-really, anything you can think of. And if that isn’t enough we’ve included the complete text of every inaugural address. This book will become an invaluable resource for historians, students, history buffs, journalists, and as a family reference. With an introduction by Allen Weinstein, founder of the Center for Democracy, it carries the Smithsonian’s seal of approval.

About the Authors

Carter Smith has written and edited numerous works on American and World history, including The African-American Experience On File (Facts On File), the five-volume Daily Life in 20th Century America (Greenwood) and Mapping Epidemics: A Historical Atlas of Disease (Scholastic). He is currently working on an atlas of U.S. History.

Allen Weinstein is the founder of the Center for Democracy. His international awards include the United Nations Peace Medal (1986) for “efforts to promote peace, dialogue and free elections in several critical parts of the world”; The Council of Europe’s Silver Medal (twice, in 1990 and 1996), presented by its Parliamentary Assembly, for “outstanding assistance and guidance over many years”. Professor Weinstein’s books include The Haunted Wood: Soviet Espionage in America-The Stalin Era (Random House, 1999); Perjury: The Hiss-Chambers Case (Knopf, 1997), which received several citations including an American Book Award nomination; and The Story of America (DK, 2002).

A Perfect Gift for a Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah!

Growing Into Your Sould by Larry Tabick

This thoughtful collection of poetry and inspirational reflections focuses on this important stage of a young Jewish person’s life.

It covers the main holy days of the calendar and looks at the cycle of life from birth to death. Also included are ruminations on the most important values and virtues of Judaism.

About the Author

Larry Tabick (aka Yehudah Avraham ben Yisrael) was born in Brooklyn, New York, to a Jewish mother and a Syrian Orthodox Christian father. After receiving his rabbinic diploma in 1976, he has served several London communities, teaching hundreds of Bar and Bat Mitzvah students. He currently serves the Shir Hayim congregation in Hampstead, and is a keen student of Kabbalah and Hasidism. He and his wife Jackie have three children, who have all had Bar or Bat Mitzvah.

Hylas Publishing is devoted to help new self-publishers promote their books and hopes to add them in their marketing. If you are interested in Hylas Helping you to promote your book and boost its Kindle sales, then please contact us for a free consultation.